Effect of body mass index on lung volumes

Obesity is becoming a major public health problem with severe health and economic implications. The aim of this study is to find the influence of obesity on lung function by comparing the lung volumes in normal weight, overweight and obese subjects by using Body Mass Index - as a measure of overall adiposity and to find whether the effect of BMI on lung volumes varies between obese males and females. Pulmonary function parameters including FVC, FEV1, PEFR, ERV, FEV1/ FVC ratio & MVV were measured using computerized spirometer in 103 subjects aged between 20 and 45 years recruited from the vicinity of Thanjavur Medical College. Of these 45 had normal BMI, 29 were overweight and 29 were obese. 54 were males and 49 were females. The present study found significant negative association of BMI with the lung volumes in both obese subjects and in overweight subjects. It was also found that BMI influences pulmonary function to different extent in males and females